Tale of the talking cats

At the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, all cats–indeed, all animals–are supposed to be able to speak so that humans can understand them and wonderful conversations can take place. This is the old tale that my mother told me when I was a child. I listened with wide-eyed wonder. And I always tried to stay awake in order to hear this happen and participate in the holiday magic. Unfortunately, my eyelids grew heavy; only in dreams did I watch kitties dance around the Christmas tree, happily chattering away about the joys of the season and the grand things that would be in their stockings and packages.

Mother and I put out treats for the cats to enjoy at their Christmas party. It was a family tradition just like putting out cookies for Santa Claus. My mom told me that Santa, that Jolly Old Soul, would take time out to dance with our partying kitties before flying on his way. And before the first pale light of morning, he would have danced with cats, canines and furry forest folk all across the globe and talked with them about their lives and their wishes for the New Year.

I would then ask my mother, “So, what do kitties ask for; what do they wish for most?”

“Peace on earth– and kind people who have respect for cats and all creatures,” she would say.

That wish was important then and it’s just as important today.

But back to the old Christmas tale….

After cats and animals the world over dance and talk with Santa; after they pay their respects to the reindeer and wave goodbye for another year, the ability to converse with humans disappears. Tired from partying and playing and talking, the furry ones curl up to snooze and do their own holiday dreaming.

“That’s why our kitties are always asleep on Christmas Day,” my mother said. “There was so much going on the night before.”

I believed her. I still do. And, yes, I will try to stay awake until the stroke of midnight to see (and hear) what Gatito, Tony and Missy will have to say. Purr-haps they’ll wish me a Merry Christmas, which is Kitty Korner’s wish for all of you.